
Hidden Agenda
Seen it?1990 | 108 min | Drama, Thriller
Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
It earned strong reviews (85% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had soft box office and little lasting buzz. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who likes to be kept guessing. If you loved All the President's Men or Relay, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Tense.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 48 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated R: expect violence.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
In Ireland, American lawyer Ingrid Jessner and her activist partner, Paul Sullivan, struggle to uncover atrocities committed by the British government against the Northern Irish during the "Troubles." But when Sullivan is assassinated in the streets, Jessner teams up with Peter Kerrigan, a British investigator acting against the will of his own government, and struggles to uncover a conspiracy that may even implicate one of Kerrigan's colleagues.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
85% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesSolid
7.0 out of 10
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$1 million worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
About 28K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
More like this
All the President's MenFriday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed political drama.
AnonymousWeeknight WatchAnother political drama, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
BelfastSaturday SpecialAnother drama, and a Saturday Special.
RelaySaturday SpecialAnother drama, and a Saturday Special.
Foreign CorrespondentFriday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed thriller that fewer people know today.
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Cast & crew
Directed by Ken Loach
- Frances McDormandIngrid Jessner
- Brian CoxPeter Kerrigan
- Brad DourifPaul Sullivan
- Mai ZetterlingMoa
- Bernard ArchardSir Robert Neil
- Michelle FairleyTeresa Doyle
- Maurice RoëvesHarris
- Jim NortonBrodie
- John BenfieldMaxwell
- Bernard BlochHenri